Clindamax 10mg Gel

Clindamycin phosphate is an antibiotic from the lincosamide (lincomycin) group. It slows or stops the growth of bacteria.

• On the skin (gel, lotion, solution or foam) it treats acne by reducing acne bacteria and swelling.
• As an injection given in hospital it treats certain serious bacterial infections.

Use it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

Skin products:

• For the skin only. Keep it away from the eyes, nose, mouth and broken skin; rinse with cool water if it gets there.
• Shake lotion before use. The foam is flammable, so keep away from flames and do not smoke while using it.
• If you miss an application, apply it when you remember unless the next one is nearly due. Do not apply extra.

Injection: given into a vein or muscle by a nurse or doctor. Finish the full course even if you feel better.

Common side effects of skin products include dryness, peeling, itching, burning, redness or oily skin. With the injection, common effects include pain where it was given, a metallic taste, feeling sick and thrush.

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• Watery or bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps or fever, during treatment or up to two months or more after it ends
• Signs of a serious allergic reaction: rash or hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, wheezing, or trouble breathing or swallowing
• Blistering, peeling or shedding skin
• Yellow skin or eyes, or passing less urine

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you:

• Are allergic to clindamycin or lincomycin
• Have had colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or severe diarrhoea with an antibiotic
• Have asthma, eczema or allergies
• Have liver or kidney disease (injection)
• Are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding

Medicated or abrasive soaps and alcohol-based skin products can make skin irritation worse.

Keep skin products in their closed container at room temperature, away from heat and moisture, and do not freeze. Keep out of the reach of children.

Clindamycin can cause overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the bowel, leading to severe diarrhoea or colitis, sometimes months after treatment. Whether you use the skin form or the injection, contact a doctor straight away if you get diarrhoea, watery or bloody stools, or stomach cramps.